Monday, June 13, 2016

Heart are previewing a taste of the lead single and title track to their upcoming album, “Beautiful Broken”, which features a guest appearance by James Hetfield of Metallica.

The tune originally surfaced as a bonus song off the Seattle band’s last album, 2012’s “Fanatic”, but has been revamped into an entirely new song with some vocal and lyrical help from Hetfield.

"It blows the previous version out of the water," says guitarist Nancy Wilson. "James just took the song on, and what he added was perfect with a bite and a rock accent."

Due July 8, the project was co-produced by Nancy alongside Heart bassist Dan Rothchild, the son of legendary Doors producer Paul Rothchild.

The project sees the Wilson sisters delivering new songs and updated versions of some of their favorite "cherry picks" from their catalog.

The seven tracks that were pulled from the Heart catalog were tunes both Nancy and Ann wanted another shot at, due many times to how they were initially produced. Songs like "City's Burning”, “Down On Me," and "Sweet Darlin'" have always been live favourites but they had somewhat languished.

"Those songs may have fallen through the cracks, in a way, because of where radio was at the time when they were first released," explains Ann Wilson. "Rediscovering those songs, I found ways they emotionally still speak to me."

Two songs are from 1983’s “Passionworks”, two from 1982’s “Private Audition” and a pair are from 1980’s “Bebe Le Strange.”

"There is really a seventies feel to this record both in the sound, and the way we got to the emotional core of each song," adds Nancy. "We picked songs that we always wanted to re-do, plus we've added three new tracks. On both new and old, we have the band playing together the way we used to. This is classic Heart."

“Beautiful Broken” will be released just prior to the July 14 launch of Heart’s “Three For All” US tour with Joan Jett and Cheap Trick.

The 31-date run marks the trio’s connection as Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees: Heart in 2013, Jett in 2015 and Cheap Trick earlier this year.